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71-675: Wiswesser was born in Reading, Pennsylvania , to Louis and Hattie (Flatt) Wiswesser in 1914. He attended Reading High School in Reading, and graduated from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania , with a B.S. degree in chemistry in 1936. Following graduation, he worked at Hercules, the Trojan Powder Company, and the Picatinny Arsenal. Wiswesser then was an instructor of chemistry in

142-572: A humid continental climate ( Dfa/Dfb/Dc ), with warm-to-hot summers, cold and snowy winters with at least one month averaging below freezing, and four to seven months with mean temperatures warmer than 50 °F. The area from Martha's Vineyard and extreme SW Rhode Island to southern Delaware and western North Carolina has a warm temperate climate ( Cfa Köppen/ Do Trewartha) with long and hot summers with at least one month over 22°C (71.6°F), cool winters with all months over freezing, and six to seven months above 50°F. Although winter precipitation

213-1343: A 54% share of the combined train and air passenger market. Some of the largest airports in the United States are located along the East Coast of the United States, such as John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens , New York City , Logan International Airport in Boston , Newark Liberty Airport in Newark, New Jersey , Philadelphia International Airport in Philadelphia , Baltimore–Washington International Airport near Baltimore , Dulles International Airport near Washington, D.C. , Hartsfield–Jackson International Airport in Atlanta , Miami International Airport in Miami , Charlotte Douglas International Airport in Charlotte, North Carolina , Tampa International Airport in Tampa , and Orlando International Airport in Orlando, Florida . As

284-669: A Japanese-style pagoda was built on Mount Penn, where it overlooks the city and is visible from almost everywhere in town. The Pagoda remains a popular tourist attraction. Reading's City Park is home to several monuments and works of public art, including the Frederick Lauer Monument . Another fixture in Reading's skyline is the William Penn Memorial Fire Tower , one mile from the Pagoda on Skyline Drive. Built in 1939 for fire department and forestry observation,

355-471: A center for resort and travel destinations in the United States. New York City is the most populous city in the country and a major world financial center. Seventy-one of the world's Fortune 500 companies have their corporate headquarters in New York City, while Midtown Manhattan , with 400 million square feet of office space in 2018, is the largest central business district in the world. Washington, D.C.

426-525: A few miles south of Harrisburg , the state capital. Railroads forced the abandonment of the canals by the 1880s. The naturalist Spencer Fullerton Baird was born in Reading in 1823. The Philadelphia and Reading Railroad (P&R) was incorporated in 1833. During the Long Depression following the Panic of 1873 , a statewide railroad strike in 1877 over delayed wages led to a violent protest and clash with

497-570: A member of the World Golf Hall of Fame , was born in Reading. The open-wheel racing portion of Penske Racing had been based in Reading, Pennsylvania since 1973 with the cars, during the F1 and CART era, being constructed in Poole , Dorset, England as well as being the base for the F1 team. On October 31, 2005, Penske Racing announced after the 2006 IRL season, they would consolidate IRL and NASCAR operations at

568-445: A population of 95,112. Of which, 68.9% were Hispanic/Latino, 18.9% were non-Hispanic White, 8.5% were non-Hispanic Black, 0.7% Asian, 0.1% Native American or Pacific Islander, and 2.9% mixed or other. As of the 2010 census, the city was 48.4% White, 13.2% Black or African American, 0.9% Native American, 1.2% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian, and 6.1% were two or more races. 58.2% of the population were of Hispanic or Latino ancestry. As of

639-841: A project of Penn State Berks , are programs intended to provide office space and support to entrepreneurs in the area. According to the Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the largest employers in the Berks county area as of 2017 were: The city's cultural institutions include the Reading Symphony Orchestra and its education project the Reading Symphony Youth Orchestra , the Reading Choral Society, Opus One: Berks Chamber Choir , Berks Sinfonietta Chamber Orchestra, Vox Philia Chamber Choir,

710-506: A subsequent financial endowment upon his death in 1847, which provided for future improvements to the grounds, the cemetery became a primary gathering point for annual Memorial Day activities from the late 19th through the late 20th centuries due to the presence of the Grand Army of the Republic monument, which was dedicated there in 1887. In the early 20th century, the city participated in

781-457: Is 23.0 °F (−5.0 °C), but it is quite common for winter temperatures to undergo much variance from the averages. The all-time record low air temperature (not including wind chill) was −20 °F (−29 °C) during a widespread cold wave in January 1994 . Annual snowfall is variable, but averages around 25 inches (64 cm). Spring temperatures vary widely between freezing temperatures and

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852-508: Is a Northrop P-61 Black Widow under active restoration since its recovery from Mount Cyclops, New Guinea in 1989. Beginning in 1990, the museum has hosted "World War II Weekend Air Show", scheduled to coincide with D-Day . On display are period wartime aircraft (many of which fly throughout the show) vehicles, and weapons. The mechanical ice cream scoop was invented in Reading by William Clewell in 1876. The 5th Avenue candy bar and York Peppermint Pattie were invented in Reading. In 1908,

923-542: Is a city in and the county seat of Berks County, Pennsylvania , United States. The city had a population of 95,112 at the 2020 census and is the fourth-most populous city in Pennsylvania after Philadelphia , Pittsburgh , and Allentown . Reading is located in the southeastern part of the state and is the principal city of the Greater Reading area , which had 420,152 residents in 2020. Reading gives its name to

994-520: Is located at 40°20′30″N 75°55′35″W  /  40.34167°N 75.92639°W  / 40.34167; -75.92639 (40.341692, −75.926301) in southeastern Pennsylvania , roughly 65 miles (105 km) northwest of Philadelphia . According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 10.1 square miles (26 km ). 9.8 square miles (25 km ) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.52 km ) of it (2.39%)

1065-519: Is more likely to fall as rain than as snow, occasional heavy snow is possible. The area from the southern Delmarva Peninsula , southeast Virginia, and central North Carolina south to central Florida is humid subtropical ( Cfa/Cf ), with hot and rainy summers, mild and drier winters, and eight to twelve months above 50°F. Urban heat island exclaves of this zone are found north of this area in Baltimore and Washington, D.C. The region of Florida from

1136-429: Is the federal capital and political nerve center of the United States. Many organizations such as defense contractors, civilian contractors, nonprofit organizations, lobbying firms, trade unions, industry trade groups and professional associations have their headquarters in or near Washington, D.C., in order to be close to the federal government . Miami is one of the top domestic and international travel destinations in

1207-448: Is variable, but relatively mild compared to areas further north. The Reading area falls under the southern periphery of the hot-summer humid continental climate ( Dfa ), with areas just to the south designated as a humid subtropical climate zone (Köppen Cfa ). Summers are warm and humid with average July highs around 86.5 °F (30.3 °C). Extended periods of heat and high humidity occur. On average, there are 27 days per year where

1278-510: Is water. The city is largely bounded on the west by the Schuylkill River , on the east by Mount Penn, and on the south by Neversink Mountain. The Reading Prong , the mountain formation stretching northeast into New Jersey , has come to be associated with naturally occurring radon gas; however, homes in Reading are not particularly affected . The surrounding county is home to a number of family-owned farms. The climate in and around Reading

1349-598: The Cooper Union 's School of Engineering during the 1940s. In 1945, he published his paper describing a formula that correctly orders the subshells of atomic orbitals in the manner of the Aufbau principle, known as the Wiswesser rule . Following his time at Cooper Union, Wiswesser worked for Willson Products , where he was Director of Industrial Hygiene, followed by civilian employment by the U.S. Army at Fort Detrick and finally at

1420-687: The Delaware River and the Potomac River , respectively, both of which are tidal arms of the Atlantic Ocean. The original Thirteen Colonies of Great Britain in North America all lay along the East Coast. Two additional U.S. states on the East Coast were not among the original Thirteen Colonies: Maine became part of the English Colony of Massachusetts in 1677 and Florida was held by

1491-691: The Easter season. Delaware Colony and the provinces of New Jersey , New York , and Pennsylvania had been colonized by the Dutch as New Netherland until they were ceded to the British in the mid- to late-17th century. Until 1791, Vermont was an independent nation as the Vermont Republic . Three basic climate regions occur on the East Coast according to the Köppen climate classification and four occur according to

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1562-718: The Eastern Seaboard , the Atlantic Coast , and the Atlantic Seaboard , is the region encompassing the coastline where the Eastern United States meets the Atlantic Ocean . The Thirteen Colonies , which formed the United States in 1776 were located on this coast, and it has played an important role in the development of the United States. The region is generally understood to include the U.S. states that border

1633-644: The GoggleWorks Art Gallery, the Reading Public Museum and the Historical Society of Berks County . Reading is the birthplace of graphic artist Jim Steranko , guitar virtuoso Richie Kotzen , novelist and poet John Updike , and poet Wallace Stevens . Marching band composer and writer John Philip Sousa , the March King, died in Reading's Abraham Lincoln Hotel in 1932. Artist Keith Haring

1704-680: The Intracoastal Waterway , also known as the East Coast Canal, which was completed in 1912. Amtrak's Downeaster and Northeast Regional offer the main passenger rail service on the Seaboard. The Acela Express offers the only high-speed rail passenger service in the Americas, by the lenient US definition of high speed rail. Between New York and Boston the Acela Express has up to

1775-456: The Outer Banks of North Carolina and Cape Canaveral , Florida. The Florida Keys are made up of limestone coral and provide the only coral reefs on the U.S. mainland. In 2010, the population of the states that have shoreline on the East Coast was estimated at 112,642,503 (about 36% of the country's total population). New York City is both the largest city and the largest metropolitan area on

1846-456: The Piedmont region by the Atlantic Seaboard fall line of the East Coast rivers, often marking the head of navigation and prominent sites of cities. The coastal areas from Long Island south to Florida are often made up of barrier islands that front the coastal areas, with the long stretches of sandy beaches. Many of the larger capes along the lower East Coast are in fact barrier islands, like

1917-520: The Schuylkill River . A similar, though not as devastating, flood occurred during June 2006. In December 2007, NBC 's Today show featured Reading as one of the top four "Up and Coming Neighborhoods" in the U.S. as showing potential for a real estate boom. The interviewee, Barbara Corcoran , chose the city by looking for areas of big change, renovations, cleanups of parks, waterfronts, and warehouses. Corcoran also noted Reading's proximity to Philadelphia , New York City, and other cities . Reading

1988-471: The Trewartha climate classification from north to south based on the monthly mean temperature of the coldest month (January) and the number of months averaging above 50 °F (10 °C), respectively. The region from northern Maine and Upstate New York south to almost all of Connecticut, most of northern New Jersey (except for areas close enough to New York City ), most of Pennsylvania, and western Maryland has

2059-414: The 80s or even 90s (around 30 °C) later in spring. The last killing frost usually is in early to mid April. Total precipitation for the entire year is 45.21 inches (114.8 cm). January is the only month averaging below freezing while two to three months average above 22 °C (71.6 °F) and seven-months average above 50 °F (10 °C). As of the 2020 United States census , Reading had

2130-586: The Agricultural Research Service of the USDA . In 1949, Wiswesser first presented what is now known as the Wiswesser line notation, which was particularly well suited to molecular structure representation within the computing platforms and modalities available. This work, which was further developed and expanded on by him for many years, had a lasting impact on the field of chemical informatics . Wiswesser

2201-521: The Arts features eight teaching studios in ceramics, hot and warm glass, metalsmithing, photography, printmaking, woodworking and virtual reality; 35 juried artist studios; and headquarters of over 40 cultural organizations. GoggleWorks also includes several exhibition galleries, a 130-seat film theatre, a bar/restaurant, and store featuring handcrafted works by over 200 artists working within the building and beyond. Admission and parking are always free. The building

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2272-473: The Atlantic Ocean: Connecticut , Delaware , Florida , Georgia , Maine , Maryland , Massachusetts , New Hampshire , New Jersey , New York , North Carolina , Rhode Island , South Carolina , and Virginia , as well as the federal capital of Washington, D.C. , and non-coastline states: Pennsylvania , Vermont , and West Virginia . The place name East Coast derives from the idea that

2343-497: The British from the end of the French and Indian War until 1781 and was part of New Spain until 1821. In present-day Florida, Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León made the first textual records of the state during his 1513 voyage. The state was initially named for Ponce de Ponce de León, who called the peninsula La Pascua Florida in recognition of the verdant landscape and because it was

2414-581: The East Coast. The East Coast is the most populated coastal area in the United States. Hartford The primary Interstate Highway along the East Coast is Interstate 95 , completed in 2018, which replaced the historic U.S. Route 1 ( Atlantic Highway ), the original federal highway that traversed all East Coast states, except Delaware . By water, the East Coast is connected from the Annisquam River in Gloucester, Massachusetts to Miami, Florida , by

2485-512: The National Guard in which six Reading men were killed. The Reading Brewing Company was also established around this same time, and was officially chartered in 1886. The Charles Evans Cemetery is the non-sectarian cemetery where many of the city's prominent business and community leaders have been buried since the cemetery's opening in the 1840s. Established through the donation of land by Reading attorney and philanthropist Charles Evans and

2556-824: The Outer Cape and Chatham on Cape Cod , and in areas of the southern Appalachian Mountains . This zone has all monthly averages between 0 and 22 °C and six to seven months above 50 °F. Although winter precipitation is more likely to fall as rain than as snow, occasional heavy snow is possible. Although landfalls are rare, the Eastern Seaboard is susceptible to hurricanes in the Atlantic hurricane season, officially running from June 1 to November 30, although hurricanes can occur before or after these dates. Hurricanes Hazel , Hugo , Bob , Isabel , Irene , and Sandy , and most recently Florence , Isaias , Henri , and Ida are some of

2627-415: The United States. Miami is the warmest major city in the continental United States in winter, which contributes to it being a major tourism hub for international visitors. Miami has one of the largest concentrations of international banks in the United States, and the third-largest skyline in the U.S. with over 439 high-rises, 68 of which exceed 490 ft (149 m). Port of Miami is the busiest cruise port in

2698-645: The United States. The team most recently played in the first PDL Championship in team history in 2018. Notable alumni include multiple players with United States men's national soccer team experience, including Matt Hedges , Alex Bono , CJ Sapong , Ben Sweat , and Keegan Rosenberry . Over 110 alumni from the team have gone on to play soccer professionally. The city has been the residence of numerous professional athletes. Among these native to Reading are Brooklyn Dodgers outfielder Carl Furillo , Baltimore Colts running back Lenny Moore , and Philadelphia 76ers forward Donyell Marshall . Pro golfer Betsy King ,

2769-629: The WLN. That same year, he was awarded an honorary doctorate at Lehigh University . In 1975 he was awarded the Austin M. Patterson Award for chemical information science. Wiswesser received the American Chemical Society Division of Chemical Information's Herman Skolnik Award in 1980, with a citation "For pioneering mathematical, physical, and chemical methods of punched-card and computer-stored representation of molecular structures, leading to

2840-405: The average family size was 3.33. In the city, the population was spread out, with 29.9% under the age of 18, 11.7% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 17.0% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.5 males. The median income for a household in the city

2911-399: The burgeoning automobile and motorcycle industry as home to the pioneer "Brass Era" companies, Daniels Motor Company , Duryea Motor Wagon Company , and Reading-Standard Company. Reading experienced continuous growth until the 1930s, when its population reached nearly 120,000. From the 1940s to the 1970s, however, the city saw a sharp downturn in prosperity, largely owing to the decline of

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2982-410: The census of 2000, there were 30,113 households, out of which 33.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.4% were married couples living together, 20.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.8% were non-families. 31.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and

3053-708: The contiguous 48 states are defined by two major coastlines, one at the western edge and one on the eastern edge. Other terms for referring to this area include the Eastern Seaboard , which is another term for coastline, Atlantic Coast, and Atlantic Seaboard because the coastline lies along the Atlantic Ocean . The 14 states that have a shoreline on the Atlantic Ocean are (from north to south): Maine , New Hampshire , Massachusetts , Rhode Island , Connecticut , New York , New Jersey , Delaware , Maryland , Virginia , North Carolina , South Carolina , Georgia , and Florida . Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. border

3124-625: The county seat. The region was settled by emigrants from southern and western Germany, who bought land from the Penns. The first Amish community in the New World was established in Greater Reading, Berks County. The Pennsylvanian German dialect was spoken in the area well into the 1950s. During the French and Indian War , Reading was a military base for a chain of forts along the Blue Mountain . By

3195-768: The creation of the Wiswesser Line Notation (WLN) for concise storage and retrieval of chemical structures ...". At the end of his life he was working for the United States Department of Agriculture on weed science until his final illness, and he died on 17 December 1989, aged 75, in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania , leaving a widow, Katherine, and a son, daughter and four grandchildren. His scientific papers were deposited at Lehigh University after his death. Reading, Pennsylvania Reading ( / ˈ r ɛ d ɪ ŋ / RED -ing ; ( Pennsylvania Dutch : Reddin)

3266-566: The early 1970s, the original factories were developed to create the VF Outlet Village , the first outlet mall in the United States. The VF Outlet closed in 2020. GoggleWorks Center for the Arts is a community art and cultural resource center located in Reading, Pennsylvania. The mission of the GoggleWorks is "to transform lives through unique interactions with art." Located in the former Willson Goggle Factory building, GoggleWorks Center for

3337-512: The first spot in the United States that immigrants arrived and the close proximity of Europe , the Caribbean , and Latin America , the East Coast is home to a diverse population and home to multi-cultures when compared to the rest of the U.S. From the strong Latin culture in southern Florida , to the 200-year-old Gullah culture of the low country coastal islands of Georgia and South Carolina , to

3408-475: The heavy industry and railroads, on which Reading had been built, and a national trend of urban decline. Following more than a century of prosperity, the Reading Company was forced to file for bankruptcy protection in 1971. The bankruptcy was a result of dwindling coal shipping revenues and strict government regulations that denied railroads the ability to set competitive prices, required high taxes, and forced

3479-525: The many historic cities in the Mid-Atlantic , where a strong English, German, Italian, Irish, and French culture are present, the East Coast is significantly more diverse than the rest of the United States. Numerous Chinatowns in New York City , and Little Havana in Miami , are examples of such cultural centers in the bigger cities. The East Coast is home to much of the political and financial power and

3550-547: The more significant storms to have affected the region. The East Coast, with the exception of eastern Maine, is a low-relief, passive margin coast. It has been shaped by the Pleistocene glaciation in the far northern areas in New England, with offshore islands such as Nantucket , Martha's Vineyard , Block Island , and Fishers Island . From northern New Jersey southward, the coastal plain broadens southwards, separated from

3621-425: The now-defunct Reading Company , also known as the Reading Railroad and since acquired by Conrail , that played a vital role in transporting anthracite coal from Pennsylvania's Coal Region to major East Coast markets through the Port of Philadelphia for much of the 19th and 20th centuries. Reading Railroad is one of the four railroad properties in the classic U.S. version of the Monopoly board game. Reading

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3692-404: The poverty level, including 45.7% of those under 18. Reading's unemployment rate in May 2010 was 14.7%, while Berks County's unemployment rate was 9.9%. Large employers based in Reading and surrounding communities include Boscov's , EnerSys , Carpenter , Penske Truck Leasing , and Redner's Markets . Jump Start Incubator, a program of Berks County Community Foundation , and Berks LaunchBox,

3763-419: The poverty line, or less "than the infamous 41.3% from 2011, when Reading was declared the poorest small city in the nation." Reading is located 38.8 miles (62.4 km) southwest of Allentown and 50 miles (80 km) northwest of Philadelphia. Lenape people, also known as Delaware Indians, inhabited the Reading area prior to European settlement of the region in the 17th century. The Colony of Pennsylvania

3834-402: The railroads to continue to operate money-losing passenger service lines. On April 1, 1976, the Reading Company sold its current railroad interests to the newly formed Consolidated Railroad Corporation ( Conrail ). That same month, the Reading Brewing Company closed. In 1972, Hurricane Agnes caused extensive flooding in the city, not the last time the lower precincts of Reading were inundated by

3905-427: The region is an International Mountain Bicycling Association ride center. According to 2010 census data, Reading had the highest share of citizens living in poverty in the nation among cities with populations exceeding 65,000. Reading's poverty rate fell over the next decade. Reading's poverty rate in the five-year American Community Survey , published in 2018, showed that 35.4% of the city's residents were below

3976-430: The south-central region of the state south to the Florida Keys has a tropical climate ( Af/Aw/Ar ) that is usually frost-free and warm to hot all year, and all of the 12 months of the year average above 18 °C (64.4 °F). This region of Florida is the only tropical climate in the continental U.S. The least common climate on the East Coast is the oceanic ( Cfb/Do ), which is only found on Block Island , Nantucket , and

4047-422: The team's Mooresville, North Carolina facility; with the flooding in Pennsylvania in 2006, the team's operations were moved to Mooresville earlier than expected. Penske Truck Leasing is still based in Reading. Maple Grove Raceway opened in 1962 and hosts a NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series event since 1985. East Coast of the United States The East Coast of the United States , also known as

4118-405: The temperature exceeds 90 °F (32 °C). Reading becomes milder in the autumn, as the heat and humidity of summer relent to lower humidity and temperatures. The first killing frost generally occurs in late October. Winters bring freezing temperatures, but usually move above freezing during the day's warmest point. The average January high is 38.6 °F (3.7 °C); the average January low

4189-412: The theatre and arena were rebranded as the Santander Performing Arts Center and Santander Arena respectively after Santander Bank purchased Sovereign. The Mid-Atlantic Air Museum is a membership-supported museum and restoration facility located at Carl A. Spaatz Field. The museum actively displays and restores historic and rare war aircraft and civilian airliners. Most notable to their collection

4260-460: The time of the American Revolution , the area's iron industry had a total production exceeding England's. There were several prominent Ironmasters like Samuel Van Leer who helped supply George Washington 's troops with cannons, rifles, and ammunition in the Revolutionary War. During the early period of the conflict, Reading was again a depot for military supply. Hessian prisoners from the Battle of Trenton were also detained here. Philadelphia

4331-400: The tower is 120 feet tall, and rises 950 feet above the intersection of fifth and Penn streets. From the top of the tower, it offers a 60-mile panoramic view. The Reading Glove and Mitten Manufacturing Company founded in 1899, just outside Reading city limits, in West Reading and Wyomissing boroughs changed its name to Vanity Fair in 1911 and is now the major clothing manufacturer VF Corp. In

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4402-424: Was $ 26,698, and the median income for a family was $ 31,067. Males had a median income of $ 28,114 versus $ 21,993 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 13,086. 26.1% of the population and 22.3% of families were below the poverty line. 36.5% of those under the age of 18 and 15.6% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 32.9% of all residents live below

4473-439: Was a 1680 land grant from King Charles II of England to William Penn . Comprising more than 45,000 square miles (120,000 km2), it was named for his father, Sir William Penn . In 1743, Richard and Thomas Penn, both sons of William Penn, mapped out the town of Reading with Conrad Weiser . Taking its name from Reading, Berkshire , England, the town was established in 1748. Upon the creation of Berks County in 1752, Reading became

4544-415: Was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2006. The Reading Fightin Phils , minor league affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies , play at FirstEnergy Stadium . Notable alumni are Larry Bowa , Ryne Sandberg , Mike Schmidt , Ryan Howard , and Jimmy Rollins . Reading United AC , USL League Two affiliate of the Philadelphia Union , are considered one of the top amateur soccer teams in

4615-438: Was also interested in the history of chemistry and near the end of his life he made a special study of Josef Loschmidt 's work, alone at first and then together with preeminent chemist Alfred Bader . In 1970 he was awarded the Department of the Army Decoration for Exceptional Civilian Service , the highest honour which can be given by the United States Army to a civilian, in recognition of his "Chemical Line-Formula Notation",

4686-403: Was among the nation's most-populous 100 cities in the nation from 1810 to 1950. The Schuylkill Canal , a north–south canal completed in 1825, paralleled the Schuylkill River and connected Reading with Philadelphia and the Delaware River . The Union Canal , an east–west canal completed in 1828, connected the Schuylkill and Susquehanna Rivers , and ran from Reading to Middletown, Pennsylvania,

4757-418: Was born in Reading. In 1935, comedian Jackie Gleason began his professional career in Tiny's Chateau Nightclub, located inside Reading's Black Bear Inn. Reading is home to the 17-time DCA world champion drum and bugle corps, The Reading Buccaneers . In 1914, one of the anchors of the Battleship Maine was delivered from the Washington Navy Yard to City Park, off of Perkiomen Avenue. The anchor

4828-430: Was dedicated during a ceremony presided over by Franklin D. Roosevelt , who was then assistant secretary of the navy. Reading was home to several movie and theater palaces in the early 20th century. The Astor, Embassy, Loew's Colonial, and Rajah Shrine Theater were grand monuments of architecture and entertainment. Today, after depression, recession, and urban renewal, the Rajah is the only one to remain. The Astor Theater

4899-444: Was demolished in 1998 to make way for The Sovereign Center . Certain steps were taken to retain mementos of the Astor, including its ornate Art Deco chandelier and gates. These are on display and in use inside the arena corridors, allowing insight into the ambiance of the former movie house. In 2000, the Rajah was purchased from the Shriners . After a much needed restoration, it was renamed the Sovereign Performing Arts Center. In 2013

4970-435: Was one of the first localities where outlet shopping became a tourist industry. It has been known as "The Pretzel City" because numerous local pretzel bakeries are based in the city and its suburbs; currently, Bachman, Dieffenbach, Tom Sturgis, and Unique Pretzel bakeries call the Reading area home. In recent years, the Reading area has become a destination for cyclists with more than 125 miles of trails in five major preserves;

5041-453: Was the nation's capital at the time of the 1793 Philadelphia yellow fever epidemic . President George Washington traveled to Reading, and considered making it the emergency national capital, but chose Germantown instead. In 1809, Susanna Cox was tried and convicted for infanticide in Reading. Her case attracted tremendous sympathy; 20,000 viewers came to view her hanging, swamping the 3,000 inhabitants. According to census data, Reading

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